Casa Lapostolle Apalta Red is a full-bodied Chilean red blend from Colchagua Valley's Apalta vineyard, bottled at 15% ABV in a 750ml format. Known internationally as Clos Apalta, this wine has earned two perfect 100-point scores from James Suckling (2015 and 2021 vintages) and was named #6 on Wine Spectator's Top Wines of 2025 for its 2021 release. Quick Facts: ABV: 15% | Origin: Apalta, Colchagua Valley, Chile | Carmenère-led Bordeaux-style Blend | Winery: Casa Lapostolle Production & Heritage Casa Lapostolle was founded by the Marnier Lapostolle family, known for Grand Marnier, and the Apalta vineyard draws on old ungrafted vines averaging over 60 years of age — some dating back to 1920, originally imported from Bordeaux before the phylloxera crisis devastated European rootstock. The winery itself is an engineering feat: a seven-level, gravity-fed facility carved 35 meters into solid granite, where fruit is processed, fermented in French oak vats, and bottled entirely by gravity without filtration or treatment. The blend shifts with each vintage but centers on Carmenère with supporting roles from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and occasionally Cabernet Franc — the 2021 vintage, for instance, is 75% Carmenère, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 7% Merlot, while the celebrated 2015 was 46% Carmenère, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, and 5% Cabernet Franc. The estate is certified organic and biodynamic. Tasting Notes Aroma: The nose opens with graphite and fresh herbs before unfolding into layers of dried plum, blackberry, currant, and cut flowers. Deeper breaths reveal wet earth, garrigue-like complexity, and a subtle mintiness. Taste: The entry is dense and powerful, with concentrated black and blue fruit meeting pink peppercorn and green olive notes at the mid-palate. As it develops, toffee and chocolate orange emerge, supported by firm yet creamy tannins that carry substantial weight without heaviness. Finish: Long and velvety, with salted caramel and olive lingering well after the final sip. The tannin structure is fine-grained and persistent, leaving a savory, mineral impression. How to Drink Clos Apalta This wine is best served neat in a large-bowled glass at around 16–18°C (61–64°F); decanting for at least an hour is recommended to allow its layered aromatics to fully open. Given its density and complexity, it rewards patient sipping rather than mixing, but its rich profile can anchor elevated wine-based preparations: a Sangria Negra built with dark stone fruit and a cinnamon stick highlights the wine's dark fruit character; a Mulled Wine with star anise and orange peel draws out its chocolate orange and spice dimensions; and a restrained Claret Cup with seasonal berries and sparkling water makes an unconventional but effective warm-weather serve. Best For Gifting a serious wine collector or marking a milestone vintage year Anchoring a multi-course dinner party with grilled or braised red meats Cellaring for long-term aging — the tannin structure and acidity support significant development Exploring Chile's top-tier wines alongside iconic Bordeaux and Napa benchmarks Frequently Asked Questions What does Clos Apalta taste like? Clos Apalta delivers concentrated black and blue fruit layered with graphite, green olive, pink peppercorn, and chocolate orange, framed by firm yet velvety tannins and a long savory finish of salted caramel. How does Clos Apalta compare to Harlan Estate? Both are ultra-premium, consultant-driven wines — Clos Apalta is Carmenère-led from Chilean granite soils, while Harlan Estate is a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant Napa Valley wine, generally carrying a significantly higher price point. Both share winemaking consultant Michel Rolland and a philosophy of gravity-flow production with minimal intervention, but Clos Apalta's Carmenère backbone gives it a distinctly herbaceous, earthy character versus Harlan's darker cassis-driven profile. Is Clos Apalta good for cellaring? Yes — its firm tannin structure, high concentration, and biodynamic viticulture from old ungrafted vines give it substantial aging potential, and top vintages like 2015 and 2021 are expected to develop favorably for 20 or more years. Where is Clos Apalta made? Clos Apalta is produced by Casa Lapostolle in the Apalta sub-region of Colchagua Valley, Chile, in a gravity-fed winery carved 35 meters into granite hillside rock. What foods pair well with Clos Apalta? Slow-braised lamb shoulder complements the wine's earthy, herbal depth; grilled ribeye with chimichurri echoes its green herb and peppercorn notes; wild mushroom risotto mirrors its savory, mineral finish; dark chocolate with sea salt flakes plays off the salted caramel and cocoa tones; and aged Manchego or Comté cheeses stand up to its full-bodied weight. What sizes does Clos Apalta come in? The standard release is a 750ml bottle, which is the most widely available format. Is Clos Apalta worth the price? Clos Apalta positions firmly in the ultra-premium tier of Chilean wine, and with two perfect 100-point scores and consistent placement on major year-end lists including Wine Spectator's Top 10, it represents strong critical validation relative to comparably priced Bordeaux and Napa peers. Why Clos Apalta? Few wines outside of Bordeaux or Napa have collected the accolades Clos Apalta has earned — a perfect score for its 2015, another for its 2021, and Wine Spectator's Wine of the Year in 2008 for the 2005 vintage. The source material is genuinely rare: pre-phylloxera ungrafted vines, some over a century old, farmed biodynamically in volcanic and granite soils. The gravity-fed winery, carved deep into rock, eliminates the need for pumps, filtration, or fining — an uncompromising approach that preserves the purity of fruit from one of South America's most distinctive vineyard sites. For anyone building a serious cellar or seeking a world-class Carmenère-driven blend, this wine stands among the strongest arguments Chile has ever made.
